Lille will be looking to book their place in the last 16 of the Coupe de France when they host Pau of Ligue 2 at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Sunday evening.
Les Dogues were triumphant over divisional rivals Troyes in the last round, whereas Pau overcame top-flight opposition in the form of Montpellier HSC to reach the last-32 stage.
Match preview
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Lille have been on the hunt to regain European football this campaign after a disastrous 2021-22 term in which they finished 10th in Ligue 1, their lowest placement since the 2017-18 season.
Paulo Fonseca's side are unbeaten since returning to competitive action following the World Cup break, winning two and drawing two of their four league matches in that time.
Last time out saw Lille record their biggest margin of victory to date, with braces from Jonathan David and Mohamed Bayo alongside a strike from Alan Virginius propelling Les Dogues to a 5-1 victory over Troyes last Sunday.
That double from the 23-year-old Canadian boosted his goal tally to 12 in 19 Ligue 1 appearances, meaning only Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe can boast a better record in France's top flight this campaign.
With such goalscoring prowess amongst their ranks, it is plausible that Lille achieve at least Europa Conference League qualification this season courtesy of their final league standing - however a Coupe de France title would see them automatically qualify for the Europa League.
Pau are dreaming of Ligue 2 survival more than European football at the moment, with Didier Tholot's men embroiled in a relegation battle within France's second tier, sitting just two points above the bottom four.
However, the Coupe de France has provided Pau with a welcome distraction from the stresses of league football, with a 2-1 home win over Montpellier in the last round setting up an attractive tie with the 2020-21 Ligue 1 winners on Sunday.
That win against La Paillade is Pau's only victory since returning from the World Cup break, as well as being their first since the beginning of October, statistics that point towards a difficult evening for the second-tier side in Lille this weekend.
Tholot's side have not won away from home in any form since a 2-0 success at Annecy in October, with Mons Bassouamina and Erwin Koffi getting the decisive strikes on that day.
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Team News
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Lille winger Adam Ounas suffered a thigh injury in the victory over Troyes last weekend and will be sidelined until March, with Edon Zhegrova likely to take his place on the right flank when Pau come to town this Sunday.
Fonseca will remain without Andre Gomes for this Coupe de France fixture after the 29-year-old suffered a calf strain during the goalless draw with Brest last week.
Pau have no fresh injury concerns following their 1-0 defeat at Bastia last time out but could make changes in attacking areas, with Mayron George looking to take Mohamed Yattara's place in the XI.
Tholot is unlikely to deviate from a back three consisting of Noah Sow, Xavier Kouassi and Jean Ruiz as his side look to frustrate their Ligue 1 hosts and strike on the break on Sunday evening.
Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Diakite, Yoro, Djalo; Zhegrova, Andre, Baleba, Gomes; Bayo, David, Weah
Pau possible starting lineup:
Olliero; Sow, Kouassi, Ruiz; Koffi, Boli, Nisic, Sylvestre, Evans; George, Bassouamina
We say: Lille 4-0 Pau
Lille are coming into this clash after a five-star performance against Troyes, and their fans will be expecting a similar scoreline when they face Ligue 2 opposition this Sunday.
Pau will be relishing the opportunity to compete with one of France's elite clubs this weekend but face an almighty task in keeping the score down - let alone progressing into the last 16.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
